Reply to Is there a coherent argument that loosening zoning laws will lead to affordable housing in DC?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous] It should not mean that a developer takes a big house, makes four $800,000 condos out of it, and sells them to people who qualify for that high of a mortgage.  [/quote]

We have multiple housing cost problems and multiple tools.  We have publicly financed housing - Alexandria is putting money into preserving and creating committed AH at various income levels as is DC (and there has just been a big proposal in Md)

But yes creating more market rate units also helps - where do those households who buy the 800K condos (thats only in a few parts of DC of course, condos in most parts of Alexandria are not nearly that expensive)  come from?  They otherwise would have bought something else, and older condo or a small house.  And pushed someone else out, who would then have bought someplace older or further out, displacing someone else.

Yuppies do not spontaneousl generate.   Adding new housing, even at the top of the market, has knock on effects.

It also provides tax revenues to help fund AH, as well social services.

Whenever someone proposes committed AH we get complaints about why not just let the market work.  Whenever someone proposes ALLOWING market rate housing, by making zoning restrictions less onerous, we get "oh its not affordable enough"

[/quote]

Why not grandfather in long term residents , tax breaks etc. When you say pushed out it sort of implies they arent selling. A lot of people sell for a profit. Incentivize them to stay if you value them in the city.[/quote]

The Mayor could also look at adding development to SE  which eventually will be gentrified too, along with helping long term residents there buy/stay in their homes starting now in preparation for that. I would up the homesteader incentives and breaks and at the same time develop that part of thr city. Id look at making transport even more efficient, and also at luring in supermarkets with an offer to have permanent police stationed in front and back of the store. There are areas in the city that are affordable, but everyone is trying to get out -not in. Look at that.[/quote]

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